You only need to have the very faintest interest in the world of fashion to know that its very nature is entirely cyclical. Trends come and go and come back again several times over the course of each of our lifetimes, but while some fall out of favour for a number of decades before reappearing (see the industry’s current obsession with the 80s shoulder pad and cycling shorts for reference) others reoccur more frequently.
One such trend is the ‘ugly shoe’.
It’s no specific style, spanning all manner of conventionally unattractive shapes and sizes, but various incarnations of the ugly shoe have made their way to the forefront of fashion over recent years – and it’s no different for summer 2021.
In fact the ugly shoe is more rife than ever; with everything from crocs to clogs, mules to dad sandals making their way to the top of every fashion fan’s lust list.
But what makes an ugly shoe ugly? If it’s conventionally popular and increasingly accepted in the mainstream, can it actually be considered ‘unattractive’?
It’s important to note that while these shoes are wildly popular within fashion circles, there’s no doubting the fact that they’re yet to impress the masses. Which, as it happens, is entirely their appeal.
‘Ugly’ fashion attracts attention in a way in which regular every day pieces don’t. The antidote to ‘safe’ style which sails under the radar and goes almost entirely unnoticed, ‘ugly’ items ensure that the wearer stands out and makes a statement – the bread and butter of the influencer world.
Most people have an interest in looking good, but fashion purveyors are more interested in looking different.
A classic confidence move, proving that you’re not afraid to wear something that’s not widely-considered to be attractive suggests that you’re either so sartorially secure that you don’t need the approval of others, or that you’re *SO* chic you can even make the ugliest trends look good.
Whether it’s unusually bold or bulky in shape or such a punchy colourway that it could be considered an eyesore, the more the shoe can be considered a ‘risk’ the more it tempts adventurous dressers.
Scroll down for our Fashion Editor’s pick of the 30 best ugly shoes to buy (and wear with confidence!) this summer…
For more from Glamour UK’s Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.